3vz-e?

drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
Did some research on doing a 3.0 to 3.4 swap, and it looks like it can be pretty straight forward.

I went and looked at the '91 with 220K mi on it. Everything looked structurally good but it was leaking oil pretty bad. The guy claimed that most of the oil was from not putting the filter on right and that it just had a small leak. I easily got him to spit out $2000 as a price, but didn't really push him at all after that.
Other issues:
Speedo bounces like a mofo
Clutch didn't work well, probably needs a new cylinder
E-Brake light always on
AC Fan broken
Sounds like there's a bearing going out somewhere

I was thinking if I could talk him down to about $1200 it might be worth it, but then I'd have to tow it to the meets until I could do the swap or am able to clean it up enough that it's reliable.
 

SamSter0077

Frack me..
did some research on doing a 3.0 to 3.4 swap, and it looks like it can be pretty straight forward.

I went and looked at the '91 with 220k mi on it. Everything looked structurally good but it was leaking oil pretty bad. The guy claimed that most of the oil was from not putting the filter on right and that it just had a small leak. I easily got him to spit out $2000 as a price, but didn't really push him at all after that.
Other issues:
Speedo bounces like a mofo
clutch didn't work well, probably needs a new cylinder
e-brake light always on
ac fan broken
sounds like there's a bearing going out somewhere

i was thinking if i could talk him down to about $1200 it might be worth it, but then i'd have to tow it to the meets until i could do the swap or am able to clean it up enough that it's reliable.

pics?
 

SamSter0077

Frack me..
I wish I had snapped one of the underside of the engine. I halfway believe the oil filter story, because it looked like there was an oil explosion under there.

if it is this one http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1836390781.html then I think it looks pretty good. you can fix the oil leak.. 3.0 might be worth a shot.. I can keep an eye for 3.4 in Houston if you prefer. When was the last time the engine was rebuilt or head gasket done?
 

drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
if it is this one http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1836390781.html then I think it looks pretty good. you can fix the oil leak.. 3.0 might be worth a shot.. I can keep an eye for 3.4 in Houston if you prefer. When was the last time the engine was rebuilt or head gasket done?
I asked him about the headgasket and a rebuild. He claimed he took it to a mechanic that said it looked fine. It did look fine though. The whole engine compartment looked clean but not spit-shined. Only thing keeping me from getting it is the fact that it needs immediate work before hitting the road/ trail. I might wait a few days then call him back. He's been trying to sell it for a couple weeks now.
 

SamSter0077

Frack me..
I asked him about the headgasket and a rebuild. He claimed he took it to a mechanic that said it looked fine. It did look fine though. The whole engine compartment looked clean but not spit-shined. Only thing keeping me from getting it is the fact that it needs immediate work before hitting the road/ trail. I might wait a few days then call him back. He's been trying to sell it for a couple weeks now.

Pretty weird he still has it IMO.. when they get down to the 2k level, they move pretty fast.. Especially if they have good tags.
 

SamSter0077

Frack me..
He has it listed at 3700, told me 2500 when I asked him in person, and spit out 2000 after he rejected my first offer and I asked him how much he would "need" to justify selling it.

What kind of oil leak? Like Niagara Falls from the Filter location, back of the engine, down the side?? Just looking for more details. I am curious why has dropped his pants so fast..?
 

drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
What kind of oil leak? Like Niagara Falls from the Filter location, back of the engine, down the side?? Just looking for more details. I am curious why has dropped his pants so fast..?
We'll it's probably has a good amount to do with the fact that KBB for that truck in "excellent" condition is only $2K. That and I'm a pretty decent negotiator? Shot the shit about that truck and the Diesel Ford sitting in his driveway that he's planning on converting to bio-diesel.
 

SamSter0077

Frack me..
Well, it's TX.. and those things fetch a little more money. Seems like the bigger a POS it is, the more cash you can get for it if it's going south of the border...
 

AlienXtx

Nignog
Did some research on doing a 3.0 to 3.4 swap, and it looks like it can be pretty straight forward.

I went and looked at the '91 with 220K mi on it. Everything looked structurally good but it was leaking oil pretty bad. The guy claimed that most of the oil was from not putting the filter on right and that it just had a small leak. I easily got him to spit out $2000 as a price, but didn't really push him at all after that.
Other issues:
Speedo bounces like a mofo You dont need that off road
Clutch didn't work well, probably needs a new cylinder
E-Brake light always on So...lol
AC Fan broken easy fix...I know a guy
Sounds like there's a bearing going out somewhere

I was thinking if I could talk him down to about $1200 it might be worth it, but then I'd have to tow it to the meets until I could do the swap or am able to clean it up enough that it's reliable.

Hows the body and driveline, did you try out the 4x4?
 

AlienXtx

Nignog
Tranny and transfer case shifted like butter, and I'll bet the clutch just needs to be bled and adjusted.

easy enough, I need to do the same on the Dilux.
 

TXrunner

Member
what happened to the 4.0 AC SB project?
 

AlienXtx

Nignog

TXrunner

Member
Thats unfortunate. I'm tired of all this bullshit where everyone does the same mods, lift, tires ad nauseum. that project would be expensive as shit but the feeling of being the ONLY person with that truck should make it worth everything. you would be that guy that took his taco to the next level, an inspiration for everybody. Its not like we need any more Murdered out taco imitations.
 
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